Kevin Clifton, 37, was four times a runner-up on Strictly Come Dancing before he eventually won alongside Stacey Dooley, 32, last year. Despite having plenty to celebrate, the Grimsby-born performer has spoken out about a more harrowing time which admittedly “broke him”.
The BBC favourite recently joined Simon Mundie on the BBC podcast Don’t Tell Me The Score where he detailed his experience of desperately wanting to win dance competitions which led to a period of self-doubt.
The Strictly star revealed he and his sibling Joanne Clifton, 36, followed in their parents footsteps into the world of dance, entering his first competition at the age of four.
Kevin and his sister went on to compete internationally, where he recalled a “devastating” moment at the British Open when he was 11-years-old.
Speaking on the show, he said: “From three months before, I knew I was going to win this thing. I just had my eyes on the prize. So I knew I was going to win that competition. But I came fourth.
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Meanwhile, the Strictly star has other reasons to celebrate after he recently announced he will be going on a dance tour with his sister Joanne.
The dancing duo are set to star in their first ever UK tour for Burn The Floor in 2020.
The Strictly star, who rose to fame when he made his debut on the BBC dance competition in 2013, chatted alongside his sister Joanne in a recent interview about their new show when the conversation turned to romance.
Speaking in OK! magazine, the Grimsby-born dancer admitted he is cautious about his girlfriend Stacey filming in dangerous locations but added “she can handle it”.c
“I suppose it’s something I’ve got to get used to. She can handle herself,” Kevin explained.
“She’s been doing it for ten years so she knows what she’s doing.”
He continued: “She’s very good at what she does. Of course you’re hoping she’ll be okay but she’s very good at letting me know what’s happening.”
Kevin first met Stacey when they were partnered together on Strictly Come Dancing last year, with the pair winning the dance competition.
Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturday on BBC One at 7.10pm.